Encyclopedia Womannica

Say Their Names & Mary McLeod Bethune

Episode Summary

We are pressing pause on our previously scheduled programming. We were planning to continue featuring women from season 1 from throughout time and around the world this week. Instead, we are going to focus in on the stories of African American women who changed the course of history. Today, we talk about Mary McLeod Bethune (1875-1955), a pioneering American educator and education activist, civil rights activist, stateswoman, philanthropist, writer and humanitarian.

Episode Notes

To keep up the momentum and accelerate change, we need to take action on a recurring basis, not just when it's at the top of our social media feeds or trending. So what can we do: 

• Act with your wallet. When our government does not take sufficient action to protect our most marginalized communities, we have to take bold action. And this means, for those who are able, making regular recurring donations. Just as you pay for other monthly subscription services, add nonprofits to your list. Here are a few organizations to consider giving to (also linked in episode notes): Color of Change, MediaJustice, Fair Fight You could also consider giving to a local political candidate you believe in.
• Support your local community. Find an organization in your area working on bail relief, police reform and other causes centered on the Black community. Support Black businesses in your area.
• Register to vote and fill out the census. You don’t have to spend money to have an impact. As Representative John Lewis says, Voting is “the most powerful non-violent tool we have in a democratic society, and we must use it.”
• Listen, share, and speak up. Whether this means emailing your family, texting your friends or posting on social media, make a statement of support and lift up the voices of those who are on the front lines of this fight.
• Last, but certainly not least, we have to educate ourselves and our communities. Find moments to hold yourself and your community accountable. Learn from your mistakes. Call out your friends and family. And support your Black friends and community.

NPR’s CodeSwitch, an excellent podcast that talks about race, compiled a list of names of Black people killed by the police since Eric Garner’s murder in 2014. This is by no means an exhaustive list. It is important to say and listen to these names:  

ERIC GARNER

JOHN CRAWFORD

MICHAEL BROWN

EZELL FORD

DANTE PARKER 

MICHELLE CUSSEAUX 

LAQUAN MCDONALD

TANI SHAANDERSON

AKAI GURLEY

TAMIR RICE

RUMAIN BRISBON

JERAME REID

GEORGE MANN

MATTHEW AJIBADE

FRANK SMART

NATASHA MCKENNA

TONY ROBINSON 

ANTHONY HILL

MYA HALL

PHILLIP WHITE

ERIC HARRIS

WALTER SCOTT

WILLIAM CHAPMAN II

ALEXIA CHRISTIAN 

BRENDON GLENN 

VICTOR MANUELLA ROSA

JONATHAN SANDERS 

FREDDIE BLUE 

JOSEPH MANN

SALVADO ELLSWOOD 

SANDRA BLAND 

ALBERT JOSEPH DAVIS

DARRIUS STEWART

BILLY RAY DAVIS 

SAMUEL DUBOSE

MICHAEL SABBIE 

BRIAN KEITH DAY 

CHRISTIAN TAYLOR

TROY ROBINSON 

ASSHAMS PHAROAH MANLEY

FELIX KUMI

KEITH HARRISON MCLEOD

JUNIOR PROSPER

LAMONTEZ JONES

PATERSON BROWN 

DOMINIC HUTCHINSON 

ANTHONY ASHFORD

ALONZO SMITH

TYREE CRAWFORD

INDIA KAGER 

LA’VANTE BIGGS

MICHAEL LEE MARSHALL 

JAMAR CLARK 

RICHARD PERKINS

NATHANIEL HARRIS PICKETT

BENNI LEE TIGNOR

MIGUEL ESPINAL

MICHAEL NOEL 

KEVIN MATTHEWS 

BETTIE JONES

QUINTONIO LEGRIER 

KEITH CHILDRESS JR.

JANET WILSON

RANDY NELSON 

ANTRONIE SCOTT 

WENDELL CELESTINE

DAVID JOSEPH 

CALIN ROQUEMORE 

DYZHAWN PERKINS

CHRISTOPHER DAVIS 

MARCO LOUD 

PETER GAINES

TORREY ROBINSON 

DARIUS ROBINSON 

KEVIN HICKS

MARY TRUXILLO 

DEMARCUS SEMER 

WILLIE TILLMAN

TERRILL THOMAS 

SYLVILLE SMITH 

ALTON STERLING

PHILANDO CASTILE 

TERENCE CRUTCHER 

PAUL O’NEAL

ALTERIA WOODS 

JORDAN EDWARDS

AARON BAILEY

RONELL FOSTER 

STEPHON CLARK 

ANTWON ROSE II 

BOTHAM JEAN

PAMELA TURNER 

DOMINIQUE CLAYTON 

ATATIANA JEFFERSON

CHRISTOPHER WHITFIELD

CHRISTOPHER MCCORVEY

ERIC REASON 

MICHAEL LORENZO DEAN 

BREONNA TAYLOR

GEORGE FLOYD

DAVID MCATEE